Finally an American IPA from us. This beautiful red-orange ale has a full malty body balanced by a fruity apricot/grapefruit nose. Mounds of dank Summit hops in the whirlpool and dry-hop additions provide a delicious finish to this East meets West-coast ale.

Beer: Reviews & Ratings

Reviews by kingjames1:

4/5 rDev +7.2%look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a honey hue, with some bottle funk in the mix. Not an impressive head, but some strings of lacing stick around. Says its "bottle-conditioned". Interesting. Smell is fairly weak - but then that could be my nose. I detect citrus (of course), orange blossoms, fuji apples, and some pine notes. Taste is definitely domintated by orange citrus, with flowery elements and a unique sour finish. I feel that characteristic bite on the tongue from the IPA's hop profile. It's good, but somehow falls flat a bit. I would venture to guess that it may have some age on it, and the hops have calmed down quite a bit. Good mouthfeel, but the drinkability is slightly off as the beer isn't very satisfying as an IPA. (707 characters)

More User Reviews:

3.3/5 rDev -11.5%look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into an imperial nnic a clear rich burnt orage color with a large blooming white head that left alot of scum behind as it settled slowly into a frothy mass.The label was spot in its description of the aromas,apricot and grapefruit really stand out over top of biscuit malt.The beer really went downhill from there in my opinion first with an almost watery feel in the mouth and then its lack of hop punch on the palate.Grapefruit is there but subdued with caramel malt flavors coming thru,I think the lack of body keeps the flavors silenced a little.It started out good but again it downhill after the aromas. (616 characters)

This hazy amber brew has a mountain of a head, rocky and dense. It has a fruity, hoppy, malty, yeasty nose, though hops do rise above. Big on smoothness. Citric rind and mint from the hops, peaches and pears from the yeast and a bit of sweetness and toasted bread from the malt are a lot to take in, but it breaks down easier as the beer warms. Its bitterness is a little prickly and the hop flavor lingers in a semi-pungent manner. The word "rustic" comes to mind when drinking this beer. It's drinkable for sure and certainly a versatile pairing beer if needed. (621 characters)

In a pint glass this beer was a dark amber, with a bit of red. A thick, off-white head resembled whipped cream. Some lacing. Mostly a citrus aroma, some sweet malt also. Grapefruit taste, with a little bit of caramel malt. Well-balanced and enjoyable. (251 characters)

Shared a bottle with my wife. The beer pours amber into my Allagash tulip. As the head forms it expands and stays. A I drink the lace sticks to the glasses edge.

The aroma is a mix of pine and citrus hops the citrus stays in the nose longer but the pine is definitely apparent in the beginning.

This is an interesting taste not what I expected. The carbonation fills the mouth and tickles the edge the gums. The taste of pine hops is the most prevalent taste a slight sweetness from the malt come through and as the carbonation subsides a lingering hop bitter remains. This is a fresh brew with a lot going on but not my favorite taste in an IPA. (649 characters)

A = A burnt orange/amber. with a lingering small soapy head and some lacing on the glass.

S = Wow! Lots of hops and a strong orange oil wafting up from the glass.

T = An intriguing burnt bitterness, I think from a citrus oiliness imparted into the ale.

M = What one would expect from an IPA, leaves a bitterness on the roof of my mouth.

O = What an intriguing IPA! I like the burnt/citrus quality of it. Don't see it as particularly drinkable, but would enjoy a pint of it on occasion. I think it might even pair well with the right strong-flavored cold meats and cheese board in a pub. Nicely done!! (604 characters)

Pours murky darker amber with a dark copper hue. Large tan head, stays and stays, and leaves some thick sheeting and webs of thick lace.

Malty nose, noticeably lacking in hops.

On the palate, hops are present but mostly with a resinous quality. Lacking in aromatic interest. Seems at the same time to be lacking in body, stale and over carbonated. Diactyle comes to mind. Not my favorite take on the style Just seems to be off and not all that enjoyable. (470 characters)

Has a nose that seems typical of many microbrewery IPAs, being medium-heavy on hops, with a strong malt background that adds a nice balancing round of darker sugars.

On the tongue, however, the hops come out in forces far stronger than the nose would imply, literally engulfing the tongue and nasal cavities with grapefruity bitterness. The label notes that the ale was brewed with "mounds of dank Summit hops...and dry-hop additions," and while I couldn't find an IBU listing anywhere, it wouldn't surprise me to learn that it's not far off from three digits. So strong are these hops that, literally a full two minutes after swallowing the first mouthful, I can still taste them. In many brews this bitterness is slightly tempered by the rosewater quality that hops can also provide, but here it's just bitterness. There is a fairly strong sugary backbone to the beer (it has to be strong for me to taste it through the hops), but it doesn't come anywhere near quelling the IBUs.

Overall, I can't honestly recommend this brew to anyone who is not a serious hop-lover. Personally, I think it's good, but I also recognize that it's seriously out of balance, and would prove an instant turnoff for most. (1,206 characters)

Slightly hazed deep honey amber with an inch-high head that lingers very long and leaves dimples and oily rings around the insides of the glass.

Aroma of brown sugar, ripe fruit, cinnamon and grapefruit.

Flavor initially of honey malt, some alcohol vapor, grapefruit pith, some grassiness, touch of mint, and some woody notes, almost a hint of smoke. Not much hop brightness. ABV seems to detract from the flavor a bit.

Full and rich mouthfeel, some carbonation tingle, and some warming of the cheek and tongue. Decent beer, but alcohol could be toned down and hops turned up for my tastes. (593 characters)